Blue Ridge Parkway reduces speed limit through Asheville

Blueridgenow.com

Published: Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.

In response to increased motor vehicle traffic and greater recreational use of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the U.S. Forest Service is reducing the speed limit on the parkway between U.S. Highway 74A and Highway 25 (Hendersonville Road) from 45 mph to 35 mph.

This speed limit change is aimed at improving the safety of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians through the Asheville corridor, a U.S. Forest Service news release states.

In the past six years, the section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs through the Asheville area has seen a change in both traffic density and complexity as more residents and visitors choose to use the parkway, the release states.

Traffic volume during the peak time for commuters — weekday mornings and afternoons — has been as high as 1,000 vehicles per hour, while increasing numbers of bicyclists, pedestrians, runners and hikers are using the road for recreation, according to the Forest Service.

Since 2006, 144 motor vehicle collisions occurred on this stretch of road, including one fatal collision, and 41 collisions involving injuries, both with bicycles and motor vehicles.

Collision investigations showed that about one-third of these wrecks were caused at least in part by speed or careless driving, the Forest Service reports. During the same period, park rangers have made 24 arrests for DUI, issued 870 citations for speeding and 55 citations for careless driving, in addition to 220 citations for failure to obey stop signs.

A reduction in speed not only creates additional reaction time and space for motorists operating along the road, but also reduces the severity of collisions that might occur, the news release states. Blue Ridge Parkway management has received numerous complaints in recent years about the increasing congestion and safety issues on this section of roadway as motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians struggle to share the road.

The Blue Ridge Parkway was created as a national scenic rural roadway, designed for pleasant motoring and a form of recreational driving free from commercial traffic.

<p>In response to increased motor vehicle traffic and greater recreational use of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the U.S. Forest Service is reducing the speed limit on the parkway between U.S. Highway 74A and Highway 25 (Hendersonville Road) from 45 mph to 35 mph.</p><p>This speed limit change is aimed at improving the safety of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians through the Asheville corridor, a U.S. Forest Service news release states.</p><p>In the past six years, the section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs through the Asheville area has seen a change in both traffic density and complexity as more residents and visitors choose to use the parkway, the release states. </p><p>Traffic volume during the peak time for commuters — weekday mornings and afternoons — has been as high as 1,000 vehicles per hour, while increasing numbers of bicyclists, pedestrians, runners and hikers are using the road for recreation, according to the Forest Service.</p><p>Since 2006, 144 motor vehicle collisions occurred on this stretch of road, including one fatal collision, and 41 collisions involving injuries, both with bicycles and motor vehicles.</p><p>Collision investigations showed that about one-third of these wrecks were caused at least in part by speed or careless driving, the Forest Service reports. During the same period, park rangers have made 24 arrests for DUI, issued 870 citations for speeding and 55 citations for careless driving, in addition to 220 citations for failure to obey stop signs.</p><p>A reduction in speed not only creates additional reaction time and space for motorists operating along the road, but also reduces the severity of collisions that might occur, the news release states. Blue Ridge Parkway management has received numerous complaints in recent years about the increasing congestion and safety issues on this section of roadway as motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians struggle to share the road.</p><p>The Blue Ridge Parkway was created as a national scenic rural roadway, designed for pleasant motoring and a form of recreational driving free from commercial traffic.</p>